Abstract:ObjectiveTo explore the effect of subcutaneous continuous negative pressure drainage on prevention of postoperative infection in patients with gastric cancer, so as to provide guidance for clinical practice. MethodsThe clinical data of 177 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy from January 2018 to September 2021 in Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University were analyzed retrospectively. The total operation time, postoperative hospital stay, incision healing grade and incision infection rate of patients in the subcutaneous continuous negative pressure drainage group (drainage group, 95 cases) and the conventional direct suture group(conventional group, 82 cases) were statistically compared. ResultsCompared with conventional group, drainage group had better incision healing grade（Z=2.372,P=0.018）, lower incision infection rate(5.3% vs15.9%, χ2=5.762, P=0.016), and shorter postoperative hospital stay［（8.9±1.4）d vs（9.8±2.4）d, t=3.096,P=0.002］. Subgroup analysis showed that the wound infection rate in the drainage group was significantly lower than that in the conventional group in patients with diabetes or obesity (P<0.05). ConclusionSubcutaneous continuous negative pressure drainage can prevent postoperative incision infection, shorten hospital stay in gastric cancer patients, especially with diabetes or obesity.